Chartreuse Yellow

Chartreuse Yellow

In 1605, Carthusian monks living just outside the city of Paris received a gift from Francois Hannibal d'Estres, the Marshall of the King's Artillery. The gift was a manuscript that Francois had inherited, and detailed a recipe for a liqueur that was simply named "Elixir of Long Life." The manuscript was nearly impossible to decipher and in the beginning of the 18th century, was sent to La Grande Chartreuse. In 1737, Frre Jerome Maubec, the monastery's apothecary, unravelled the mysterious recipe, which called for the use of over one hundred herbs and botanicals. Today, Chartreuse Liqueur continues to be made exclusively by Carthusian monks and remains one of the oldest and most mysterious spirits available. Only three monks from the order know the recipe to make the liqueur, and each has taken a vow of silence in order to protect its integrity. Much like Chartreuse Green Liqueur, Chartreuse Yellow Liqueur is made by macerating over 130 different herbs, plants, roots and botanicals into a base wine. Yellow Liqueur is a slightly sweeter and more mild version of Green Liqueur, however, and enjoys hints of cardamom, anise, wildflower, coriander, honey and citrus. Chartreuse Yellow Liqueur earned a score of 90-95 points from Wine Enthusiast, which called it "gloriously lush." Pick up a bottle of each today!